Barbapapa!

For my 100th (!) post on Playing by the book I’ve chosen one of my all time favourite books from my own childhood, a book which – fortunately – has also become one my own children adore – Barbapapa’s New House by Annette Tison and Talus Taylor.

Barbapapas are animals which can change their shape in to anything they wish. There are many Barabapapa books but this story (which like all the books in the series, can be read on its own without reference to any other Barbapapa story) recounts how the Barbapapa family create a new home for themselves.

With their large family, they have outgrown their original home and so the Barbapapas move to beautiful, old house. Although in need of some TLC, it is idyllic – turrets and winding staircases with room for all. But one day the wrecking machines come to town – it has been decreed that all old houses are to be knocked down.

The Barbapapa family are relocated to a flat in a high rise tower but they become very unhappy in this uninspiring environment and they decide to move out to build their own home.

They find a perfect location, and all working together create their ideal home. Once again their home is threatened by the diggers and bulldozers but this time the Barbapapas put up a (non-violent) fight, and secure the future of their home. Everyone is delighted and they celebrate with a happy party.

This story, like many Barbapapa stories, has an undercurrent of environmental awareness – it’s understated, but definitely there, with the idea that “modern” doesn’t necessarily equal “better than before”. Although I don’t think I was particularly aware of it as a child, as a parent I certainly do appreciate this subtle backbone to the story.

What I did notice when I was little, and which has stayed with me ever since was the delightful, humorous illustrations. The Barbapapas are just such magical characters – brightly coloured, interested in everything around them. They look not unlike balls of plasticine in their natural state, but can change in to anything – a boat, a ladder, a snail. This ability completely enchanted me as a child (as did Morph for those of you who saw British TV in the 70s!) and my kids now love the friendly, creative characters too.

Barbabapapa's New House

The inside of Barbapapa's new house

Inspired by this wonderful little book I spent quite a few evenings creating a Barbapapa house and a family of Barbapapas for M and J to play with. I used balloons and papier mache to create the basic pods.

Once several layers of papier mache were dry, I popped the balloons and used yet more papier mache to stick them together on to cardboard box with two of its sides removed.

The kids then helped me paint and decorate it!

We used fimo (you could use Sculpey) to make our Babarpapa family (but we ran out of black, so there is no Barbabeau (or Barbabob as he is known in Dutch versions of Barbapapa)).

Lots of playing ensued! We made beds and chests of drawers out of matchboxes, and also plenty of little books for Barbalib!

Barbapapa’s new house has now supplanted not only the doll’s house but even the playmobil hospital as no. 1 toy of choice! And it’s not just M and J that are enjoying playing with it 😉

54 Responses

I’ve never heard of Barbapapa before – so now I am on a mission to see if my library has it. This house that you created is fantastic, and what a fun little family. Thanks for sharing your great reads, useful links and interesting craft ideas.

Hi Natalie,
Yes, I don’t think Barbapapas ever made it big in the US – though they seem quite popular in Canada. France, Germany, Netherlands, the UK and Japan are other places where they seem to have a following. Finding the books in English doesn’t seem straightforward nowadays – but you’re in luck if you want French/German/Dutch versions!

Choxbox

wow. barbapapa was hsown on TV in india in the 80s when we were kids and we loved it. we managed to find DVDs on a paris trip coupla years back and were totally delighted. didn’t know there were books as well.

While growing up, we had a copy of the first Barbapapa book in our home thanks to a vacation my folks had taken in England. I’ve always loved loved loved it, but had no idea there were other books in the series until a few years ago.

Oh, they look like so much fun, it’s too bad we can’t get those at our library. Your house is SOOOOO cute… I think I’d want to play with it too! It would make a great gnome or fairy house for those of us who are Barbapapa-deprived. 🙂

Wow!! I grew up (in France) with Barbapapa, the tv show! What a trip to the past when I heard the theme music!
I really like the house you made, and I would guess my children would love it too..just got to find some books now so they can relate!
Thanks, Alex.

Zoe

Thanks everyone for your comments! It’s such a shame that Barbapapas aren’t better known in the US – I have seen several copies for sale in Canada on ebay so that might be the easiest way for people to get hold of copies if they wanted to track them down. Amazon (UK) has loads of French and German language versions (modern publications) too.

preena

Zoe, do you still have the book? I just found my copy from my childhood to share with my daughter. unfortunately the middle page is missing (so 4 sides) i dont suppose you would be able to share those pages with me?

This looks like a great project! I’ve never read this book before, but I can’t imagine a project that would fit any better. I know I love paper mache projects a little one. It looks like everyone had a great time!

Zoe

Thanks for the book suggestion Kellyi – have now reserved it at the library! Can’t wait to read it.

Hi Jolly Green Mommy, Yes, papier mache project can be fun – unfortunately my eldest doesn’t like getting her hands sticky so that’s why I did all that side of this project and left her to do what she loves best – sticking shiny, glittery things! (and of course playing!)

Hi again Choxbox – so glad your kids liked this post! If it inspires a bit of play in your kids that would make my day.

I came here from The Crafty Crow, and I loved Barbapapas as a child! When I mention them to others, though, most people look at me like I’m insane. I’m so glad someone else loves them! I have to find the books for my son, and do this fun project, too! Thank you so much for posting this.

[…] Zoe was also mentioned by TheMadHouse, here is another fabulous book/ art project of hers – the Barbapapa family – this is definitely more ambitious, but great for those of you that would like something a little […]

anneke schuddeboom

Oh my ! I think we will have to do this ! We live in Montreal Quebec and Barbapapa is well known here. My kids love them. Thanks for all the links and the wonderful project. i know what to do with all my son’s leftover birthday balloons !
Anneke

Keri

My 4 year old and I just got back from visiting friends in Austria. While we were there, our friends introduced my daughter to Barbapapa. Their books were in German, but she translated them for my daughter. My daughter loved them so much that when we spotted the books in French (in Paris), we had to pick up a few. Since returning to the US, we and have enjoyed learning French while reading these new Barbapapa books. 🙂

Hi,Great stuff!
I just came across your site by chance.
I have a vast collection of Barbapapa books myself as my kids love them. Around 25 books or so. Ranging from comics to paper and hard back books. Plus 5 Fantastic English spoken DVD’s that I have transfered from original bought VHS’s. My children love the great stories and fantastic cartoons.
The book the New house costs between £50 and £100 if you are lucky enough to find a copy now all these books are deleted in English SHAME!.
These cartoons were aired in the 1970’s in England as I grow up watching them myself. AHH the memories.

[…] We made our craft project very simple – we made some playdough (click here to see How Make Scented Playdough) and then had some playdough fun! (For a truly awesome Barbapapa project visit Zoe and here girl’s at Playing By the Book here). […]

Nick Hood

THANKYOU!! I am 44yo and I had in my mind a memory of this book. I googled the descriptoin of their bodies and house and I found it!! I am SO happy. I want to buy a copy of this book. I was fascinated as a 5yo child how these blobby beings lived iin their round house!
THis is great. Thanks again!
Nick

Natalja

Dear Zoe! Just got led to this post through your interview post. Could not hold myself and have to leave a comment! This one is totally amazing! Brilliant idea! We love Barbapapa to such an extent that I had to buy German DVDs with all the cartoons (apparently the only available version :). They have printed a great series of books in Danish and I think we have all of them, the babysitting story is top favorite.
But I never figured out how to make a Barbapapa house, but now….! I am very excited. Thanks a lot for the ideas!

Hi Natalja, Have you checked out YouTube – there are lots of barbabpapa clips on there in various langs. Don’t know about Danish in particular though. Let me know if you do make the Barbapapa house (or the barbapapas themselves – ours our now a little “worn” but still played with everyweek)Zoe recently posted..A little light reading

Natalja

We have a morning kids tv show, which has Danish barbapapas. But actually, even the German version is still going strong. Luckily the kids don’t care about the language. We have made some barbapapas, similar to yours, out of playdough, and some out of maxi perls, but none of them lasted too long. Maybe if they have a place to live in … :)Thanks again for the great idea.

[…] Zoe was also mentioned by TheMadHouse, here is another fabulous book/ art project of hers – the Barbapapa family – this is definitely more ambitious, but great for those of you that would like something a little […]

[…] since we have made and I don’t think the younger three have ever made it. This creation from Playing By The Book is amazing, but I will not be aiming that high. More like a balloon for each child and they can […]

Tanya

I loved this as a child, so nice to see little ones still interested in them. Just to inform you that when I clicked on the link for the unofficial but detailed Barbapapa’s site above, it took me to an adults only site.

Zoe

[…] of the Barbapapa House, a seminal piece of architectural design on the page. Still, you can always make your own / rich and raucous pixel art animations by kéké. See also A Pixel Artist Renounces Pixel Art. See […]